I don't have a link, but I read somewhere over the past few days that Ujiri is thinking along the same lines. That is, holding onto Kleiza and using him as trade-filler towards the deadline (since amnestying him makes little difference to our overall cap situation).

Assuming Raptors don't waive Lowry they will be close to the Luxury tax. If they use the MLE and the bi annual exception they will be over. With harsh penalties for the tax kicking in, amnestying Kleiza really saves an additional 3 million(roughly) dollars out of MLSE pockets. Even thouh TL has said they will pay into the tax, why bother if you have a useless player you can drop and avoid the tax?

I don't have a link, but I read somewhere over the past few days that Ujiri is thinking along the same lines. That is, holding onto Kleiza and using him as trade-filler towards the deadline (since amnestying him makes little difference to our overall cap situation).

This makes sense if we're under the luxury tax. Most of Kleiza's salary will be paid come trade deadline, making his contract a good trade asset.

What people fail to understand about the amnesty provision is YOU'RE STILL PAYING THE GUY. From a business perspective, this is absolutely terrible. Unless you manage to generate more revenue (via signing someone else) or achieve substantial savings (e.g. luxury tax), it makes little sense to amnesty.

Assuming Raptors don't waive Lowry they will be close to the Luxury tax. If they use the MLE and the bi annual exception they will be over. With harsh penalties for the tax kicking in, amnestying Kleiza really saves an additional 3 million dollars out of MLSE pockets. Even thouh TL has said they will pay into the tax, why bother if you have a useless player you can drop and avoid the tax?

When is luxury tax calculated? I recall teams like the Bulls last year looking to make deadline deals, in part to avoid being a tax team. If Kleiza is kept until the deadline (with the team salary into luxury tax) then dealt, won't they avoid luxury tax? They could always trade Kleiza to a team with cap space, along with enough cash to pay his 2nd half salary (approx. $2.3M), if an actual positive trade doesn't come to fruition. I'd rather maintain the trade asset whenever possible.

Mediumcore wrote:

How many roster spots are taken up right now with Novak, Q. Rich and Camby? Is there room for a back up PG or do we have to make room?

I think it's all but guaranteed that a 3rd spot will be opened when Camby's fate is decided. I don't see him changing his mind and deciding to join the team.

They could always keep Camby and look to deal him to a contender at the deadline. I could see MU talking to Camby about that and convincing him to stay. He could be a great mentor for Valanciunas over the first half of the season, while staying in game shape, with a promise to be sent to a playoff team by the deadline (similar to what BC did for Barbosa). Even if the Raps just flip him for an expiring contract and a 2nd round pick, that would be a pretty decent use of an asset at the deadline for all parties involved.

I'd also be suprised if Richardson stays a Raptor beyond the trade deadline. With only the 1st season of his 3-year contract guaranteed, he's essentially an expiring contract as well, when it comes to trade talks.

When is luxury tax calculated? I recall teams like the Bulls last year looking to make deadline deals, in part to avoid being a tax team. If Kleiza is kept until the deadline (with the team salary into luxury tax) then dealt, won't they avoid luxury tax? They could always trade Kleiza to a team with cap space, along with enough cash to pay his 2nd half salary (approx. $2.3M), if an actual positive trade doesn't come to fruition. I'd rather maintain the trade asset whenever possible.

Even if raptors only pay for half his contract and ship him at the deadline, they'd still be over the tax if they use their exceptions. If they can ship him for a 2nd rounder or something before the amnesty window I say do it, otherwise amnesty him and avoid paying any tax

Assuming Raptors don't waive Lowry they will be close to the Luxury tax. If they use the MLE and the bi annual exception they will be over. With harsh penalties for the tax kicking in, amnestying Kleiza really saves an additional 3 million(roughly) dollars out of MLSE pockets. Even thouh TL has said they will pay into the tax, why bother if you have a useless player you can drop and avoid the tax?

More importantly, not paying tax this year buys them another year before the repeater rate kicks in. Staying under the tax this year is important for flexibility a few years down the road.

Another factor affecting our financial flexibility is that because we acquired a player via sign-and-trade (Richardson), the apron ($4 million above the tax line, or $75.6) becomes a hard cap for the remainder of the season.

I haven't seen the dollars on Richardson's contract (are those out yet?), but we should be about $2 million below the tax line without amnestying Kleiza or stretching Fields. If we used our full MLE, that brings us right up against that hard cap, and we probably wouldn't have room to use much of the bi-annual.

who cares if we pay tax though, if we end up getting ANYTHING for Kleiza by the trade deadline it's not like the tax limits our flexibility or that WE pay it

What's funny about the trade deadline is that there is a tonne of excitement, but nothing ever happens. Teams seem to be to scared to make moves during the season anymore.

In theory having Kleiza's contract as an expiring is good if you can get an asset.. but in my opinion if we can't get an asset this summer (before July 17 as that is when the amnesty period ends) he should be amnestied. It can open the door for a full MLE which I think is a better asset then whatever you could get for Kleiza later on.

When is luxury tax calculated? I recall teams like the Bulls last year looking to make deadline deals, in part to avoid being a tax team. If Kleiza is kept until the deadline (with the team salary into luxury tax) then dealt, won't they avoid luxury tax? They could always trade Kleiza to a team with cap space, along with enough cash to pay his 2nd half salary (approx. $2.3M), if an actual positive trade doesn't come to fruition. I'd rather maintain the trade asset whenever possible.